TDS Desk

A gazette was published repealing the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act, 2010, popularly known as ‘Quick Rental Act’, after the approval of the Advisory Council of the Interim Government.

The Act was repealed and gazetted on Thursday with the assent of the President.

It states that this Ordinance shall be known as the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Cancellation Act, 2024 and shall come into force immediately.

It is stated that even if the Act is repealed, any agreement entered into or any action taken under the agreement shall be validly executed or taken.

It further said that any proceeding under a contract executed under the said Act shall continue or be performed as if the said Act had not been repealed; And the Government shall reserve the right to review any proceedings taken under the said Act in the public interest and may take any action in respect of such proceedings.

The Awami League government, which took office in 2009 amid a severe power crisis, emphasized power generation. Private sector companies are allowed to set up the centres through negotiations going beyond the tender process.

A law was also passed in 2010 for this reason, which blocked the way to go to court challenging the approval of the project. With the removal of that opportunity, any approved project can now be challenged in court.

Although there has been great progress in power generation in 15 years, there was criticism from various quarters for approving the tender.

After the fall of the Awami League government, two sections — 9 and 6(2)– of the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act 2010 were declared illegal in an order on November 14 because of a writ petition in the High Court.

Then on November 20, the Advisory Council gave in-principle and final approval to the proposal for promulgation of the ‘Expedited Supply of Electricity and Energy (Special Provisions) (Repeal) Ordinance, 2024’.

On that day in the meeting of the advisory council at the secretariat, the draft of the ordinance was subject to the vetting of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Department and the final approval was given.